In a split vote last night, the La Junta City Council voted to put marijuana retail sales, related activities and medical marijuana dispensaries on the ballot in a plainly worded ballot question. Voting for the "allow" wording of the proposal were Mayor Lynn Horner, Councilwoman Jeffri Pruyn, Councilmen Roger Roath and Eugene Mestas. Voting against this wording of the ballot were Councilwoman Betty Velasquez, Councilman Frank McKenzie and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Freidenberger.

In the citizen participation portion of the program, Tim Klob spoke for the wording of the ballot issue which was later adopted, saying this was the most honest wording, leading to the least confusion at the polls. This is the question, which was approved on first reading:

An ordinance of the City Council of the City of La Junta, Colorado, submitting to the registered electors voting in the coordinated election to be held on November 4, 2014, a ballot issue concerning whether the city of La Junta should allow retail marijuana businesses, related activities and medical marijuana dispensaries within the City of La Junta.

Klob also pointed out the necessity of voting for a tax issue in odd numbered years and that the other 12 communities with this issue on the ballot had added a tax proposal to it. City Attorney Phil Malouff said Klob was right and that, according to Tabor, tax issues have to be considered in odd numbered year elections. No action was taken on the issue and the council adjourned to executive session.

Also in the citizen participation, Sheila LeRoy thanked the council for the fireworks, which her grandchildren considered awesome and spectacular. She also thanked them for doing something about the mosquitoes.